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{{Short description|Indian Army officer (1983–2014)}}
{{Short description|Indian Army officer (1983–2014)}}
{{hatnote|In this [[South Indian]] name, 'Varadarajan' is a [[patronym]], not a [[family name]], and the person should be addressed by the [[given name]], Mukund}}
{{hatnote|In this [[South Indian]] name, 'Varadarajan' is a [[patronym]], not a [[family name]], and the person should be addressed by the [[given name]], Mukund}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Major]]
| honorific_prefix = [[Major]]
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| birth_date      = {{birth-date|12 April 1983}}<ref name=thin2/>
| birth_date      = {{birth-date|12 April 1983}}<ref name=thin2/>
| death_date      = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2014|04|25|1983|04|12}}
| death_date      = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2014|04|25|1983|04|12}}
| birth_place      = [[Kozhikode, Kerala]]<ref name=dc>{{cite news|last1=S. Sujatha|title=Major Mukund Varadarajan valour went beyond call of duty|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140815/nation-current-affairs/article/major-mukund%E2%80%99s-valour-went-beyond-call-duty|access-date=16 August 2014|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=15 August 2022}}</ref>
| birth_place      = [[Kozhikode, Kerala]]<ref name=dc>{{cite news|last1=S. Sujatha|title=Major Mukund Varadarajan valour went beyond call of duty|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140815/nation-current-affairs/article/major-mukund%E2%80%99s-valour-went-beyond-call-duty|access-date=16 August 2014|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=15 August 2014}}</ref>
| spouse          = Indhu Rebecca Vargehese<ref name="indianexpress.com">{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/love-my-son-i-am-proud-of-him-i-miss-him/|title='Love my son… I am proud of him… I miss him'|date=28 April 2022}}</ref>
| spouse          = Indhu Rebecca Vargehese<ref name="indianexpress.com">{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/love-my-son-i-am-proud-of-him-i-miss-him/|title='Love my son… I am proud of him… I miss him'|date=28 April 2014}}</ref>
| children        = 1<ref name="indianexpress.com"/>
| children        = 1<ref name="indianexpress.com"/>
| death_place      = [[Shopian]] district, [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]
| death_place      = [[Shopian]] district, [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]
| placeofburial    = [[Besant Nagar]], [[Chennai]]<ref name=thehindu1>{{cite news|title=Major Mukund spouse:Indhu Rebecca Varadharajan's final journey|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/major-mukund-varadharajans-final-journey/article5957128.ece#im-image-6|access-date=16 August 2014|work=The Hindu|date=28 April 2022}}</ref>
| placeofburial    = [[Besant Nagar]], [[Chennai]]<ref name=thehindu1>{{cite news|title=Major Mukund spouse:Indhu Rebecca Varadharajan's final journey|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/major-mukund-varadharajans-final-journey/article5957128.ece#im-image-6|access-date=16 August 2014|work=The Hindu|date=28 April 2014}}</ref>
| allegiance      = India
| allegiance      = India
| branch          = [[Indian Army]]
| branch          = [[Indian Army]]
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==Personal life==
==Personal life==


Major Mukund Varadarajan <ref name=dc/> was born on 12 April 1983 to R.Varadarajan and Geetha. He lived in [[Chennai]], India and had two sisters Swetha and Nithya. Mukund married his longtime girlfriend Indhu Rebecca Varghese on 28 August 2009 .<ref>{{cite web|title='India Should See The Man Mukund Was, Not My Sorrow': Martyr's Wife to NDTV|url=http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/the-buck-stops-here/india-should-see-the-man-mukund-was-not-my-sorrow-martyr-s-wife-to-ndtv/354130|publisher=NDTV|access-date=31 January 2022}}</ref> and have a daughter Ashreya born on 17 March 2011.<ref name=dc/><ref>{{cite news|title=Major Mukund Varadarajan cremated with full military honours in Chennai|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Major-Mukund-Varadarajan-cremated-with-full-military-honours-in-Chennai/articleshow/34347210.cms|access-date=16 August 2014|work=The Times of India|date=29 April 2022}}</ref><ref name=tniex1>{{cite news|title=Major Worked at BPO Before Realising Childhood Dream|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Major-Worked-at-BPO-Before-Realising-Childhood-Dream/2014/04/27/article2191625.ece|access-date=16 August 2014|work=The New Indian Express|date=27 April 2022}}</ref> He received his [[Bachelor of Commerce]] From [[Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidyalaya]] at [[Kanchipuram|Enathur]] and a diploma in journalism from the [[Madras Christian College]], Tambaram. His grandfather and two of his uncles also served in the army and this motivated Varadarajan to join the Armed forces.<ref name=thin2>{{cite news|title=Tambaram mourns a braveheart|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/tambaram-mourns-a-braveheart/article5951633.ece|access-date=16 August 2014|work=The Hindu|date=27 April 2022}}</ref><ref name=tniex1/> According to his seniors, the officer had a cutting sharp wit and could outwit anyone in the most polite yet strong way. Men from the unit remember how no matter how long or hard Maj.
Major Mukund Varadarajan <ref name=dc/> was born on 12 April 1983 to R.Varadarajan and Geetha. He lived in [[Chennai]], India and had two sisters Swetha and Nithya. Mukund married his longtime girlfriend Indhu Rebecca Varghese on 28 August 2009 .<ref>{{cite web|title='India Should See The Man Mukund Was, Not My Sorrow': Martyr's Wife to NDTV|url=http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/the-buck-stops-here/india-should-see-the-man-mukund-was-not-my-sorrow-martyr-s-wife-to-ndtv/354130|publisher=NDTV|access-date=31 January 2015}}</ref> and have a daughter Ashreya born on 17 March 2011.<ref name=dc/><ref>{{cite news|title=Major Mukund Varadarajan cremated with full military honours in Chennai|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Major-Mukund-Varadarajan-cremated-with-full-military-honours-in-Chennai/articleshow/34347210.cms|access-date=16 August 2014|work=The Times of India|date=29 April 2014}}</ref><ref name=tniex1>{{cite news|title=Major Worked at BPO Before Realising Childhood Dream|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Major-Worked-at-BPO-Before-Realising-Childhood-Dream/2014/04/27/article2191625.ece|access-date=16 August 2014|work=The New Indian Express|date=27 April 2014}}</ref> He received his [[Bachelor of Commerce]] From [[Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidyalaya]] at [[Kanchipuram|Enathur]] and a diploma in journalism from the [[Madras Christian College]], Tambaram. His grandfather and two of his uncles also served in the army and this motivated Varadarajan to join the Armed forces.<ref name=thin2>{{cite news|title=Tambaram mourns a braveheart|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/tambaram-mourns-a-braveheart/article5951633.ece|access-date=16 August 2014|work=The Hindu|date=27 April 2014}}</ref><ref name=tniex1/> According to his seniors, the officer had a cutting sharp wit and could outwit anyone in the most polite yet strong way. Men from the unit remember how no matter how long or hard Maj.
Varadarajan's day had been, he was always up for making others feel special on their birthdays and anniversaries. Personal relationships meant a lot to him according the men and officers of his unit.
Varadarajan's day had been, he was always up for making others feel special on their birthdays and anniversaries. Personal relationships meant a lot to him according the men and officers of his unit.


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Maj. Varadarajan lobbed a grenade into the outhouse. The blast should have debilitated, if not killed commander. But as the two men stormed the outhouse, a volley of fire came smashing into Vikram. It became clear what had just happened—the grenade had killed one terrorist, but there was another with him. The commander wasn't alone when he fled from the debris of the residence and into the cement outhouse—the second terrorist had fled with him. It was this second terrorist who had been killed by the grenade. Hizbul commander had survived.Several rounds of fire were returned at the terrorist, but he was shielded by a row of logs stacked in the outhouse and was able to fire his weapon from the confined space he was in. Maj. Varadarajan saw his buddy collapse to the ground. Vikram Singh had taken two bullets: one had sliced his neck open, while the other had penetrated his jaw. A gunshot through the neck usually spells certain death. Maj. Varadarajan knew he was about to lose one of the most courageous and dependable soldiers in his team. He knew that not only was his buddy through with this fight, his life too was about to end. As in all encounters, there was not a moment for emotion or mourning. Without pausing for a moment, Maj. Varadarajan lunged forward with his AK-47 and sprayed bullets at Altaf Wani, killing him instantly. In those final seconds, some of the militant's shots hit Maj. Varadarajan. ‘He walked out of the outhouse. He looked okay. We thought he was fine,’
Maj. Varadarajan lobbed a grenade into the outhouse. The blast should have debilitated, if not killed commander. But as the two men stormed the outhouse, a volley of fire came smashing into Vikram. It became clear what had just happened—the grenade had killed one terrorist, but there was another with him. The commander wasn't alone when he fled from the debris of the residence and into the cement outhouse—the second terrorist had fled with him. It was this second terrorist who had been killed by the grenade. Hizbul commander had survived.Several rounds of fire were returned at the terrorist, but he was shielded by a row of logs stacked in the outhouse and was able to fire his weapon from the confined space he was in. Maj. Varadarajan saw his buddy collapse to the ground. Vikram Singh had taken two bullets: one had sliced his neck open, while the other had penetrated his jaw. A gunshot through the neck usually spells certain death. Maj. Varadarajan knew he was about to lose one of the most courageous and dependable soldiers in his team. He knew that not only was his buddy through with this fight, his life too was about to end. As in all encounters, there was not a moment for emotion or mourning. Without pausing for a moment, Maj. Varadarajan lunged forward with his AK-47 and sprayed bullets at Altaf Wani, killing him instantly. In those final seconds, some of the militant's shots hit Maj. Varadarajan. ‘He walked out of the outhouse. He looked okay. We thought he was fine,’
recalls an officer in the cordon outside the house. ‘But then he suddenly collapsed.’Nothing about his demeanour betrayed that he had three gunshot wounds and was losing copious amounts of blood from all Then Maj. Varadarajan lost consciousness. Owing to the fact that he was gravely injured during the assault he succumbed to his injuries while being evacuated.<ref name=stratpost>{{cite web|title=For Gallantry|date=14 August 2014|url=http://www.stratpost.com/for-gallantry|access-date=16 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Major Mukund Varadarajan Awarded Ashok Chakra, the Highest Gallantry Award|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/major-mukund-varadarajan-awarded-ashok-chakra-the-highest-gallantry-award-576105|access-date=16 August 2014|publisher=NDTV|date=14 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Independence Day Gallantry Awards and Other Decorations|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=108722|access-date=16 August 2014|publisher=PIB|date=14 August 2022}}</ref>
recalls an officer in the cordon outside the house. ‘But then he suddenly collapsed.’Nothing about his demeanour betrayed that he had three gunshot wounds and was losing copious amounts of blood from all Then Maj. Varadarajan lost consciousness. Owing to the fact that he was gravely injured during the assault he succumbed to his injuries while being evacuated.<ref name=stratpost>{{cite web|title=For Gallantry|date=14 August 2014|url=http://www.stratpost.com/for-gallantry|access-date=16 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Major Mukund Varadarajan Awarded Ashok Chakra, the Highest Gallantry Award|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/major-mukund-varadarajan-awarded-ashok-chakra-the-highest-gallantry-award-576105|access-date=16 August 2014|publisher=NDTV|date=14 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Independence Day Gallantry Awards and Other Decorations|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=108722|access-date=16 August 2014|publisher=PIB|date=14 August 2014}}</ref>


For his brave actions during the operation, he was posthumously awarded the [[Ashok Chakra Award|Ashok Chakra]], India's highest peacetime gallantry award in 2014, ''for displaying valor beyond the call of duty''.<ref name=stratpost/> The citation by the [[Government of India]] during the declaration of the Ashok Chakra read:<ref name=dc/>
For his brave actions during the operation, he was posthumously awarded the [[Ashok Chakra Award|Ashok Chakra]], India's highest peacetime gallantry award in 2014, ''for displaying valor beyond the call of duty''.<ref name=stratpost/> The citation by the [[Government of India]] during the declaration of the Ashok Chakra read:<ref name=dc/>